There is a clear demarcation of power and prowess within the NBA’s Western Conference standings. Teams with realistic chances of chasing a title sit separated from a lower tier hoping to slip into the playoff field.

The Memphis Grizzlies (50-24) hold the fifth spot. Eight games below them are the sixth-place Golden State Warriors (42-32), a clear marker for teams that are sure to spend the next two weeks sweating.

The Warriors are one of five teams vying for the bottom three spots. Aside from the Los Angeles Lakers and their $100 million payroll, there are few surprises among the scraps. The Warriors, Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz seem to occupy this space annually. Seldom has there been an opportunity to break through quite like now, with the Lakers and Dallas Mavericks far below their usual position among the NBA’s best.

As with the Lakers’ 101-81 victory over the Mavericks on Tuesday night, plenty of head-to-head matches in the final weeks could allow for movement. That movement is likely to revolve around the eighth spot, however, as the Warriors and seventh-place Rockets (41-33) are on firmer footing.

A look at what lies ahead in the final days of the regular season, and where the contenders stand:

Golden State Warriors: Safe

The Warriors are the most stable of the teams vying for the bottom three slots. With a one-game lead on the Rockets, Golden State can afford to lose a few games without falling to the No. 7 spot, which would result in a tough first-round matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Warriors will need that leeway, with those Thunder and the first-place San Antonio Spurs on the docket in their final eight contests. Games against the Jazz and Lakers don’t have the effect they would for the Mavericks.

Houston Rockets: Holding on

It’s not all smooth sailing for the Rockets, but their final approach is not quite as treacherous as the Warriors’. Houston’s schedule will allow its high-speed offense to stay in gear. In theory, a track meet against the Denver Nuggets should works in Houston’s favor because of the Rockets’ NBA-leading pace (98.5 possessions per 48 minutes). Games against the Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns should yield a similar advantage.

Utah Jazz: On edge

The Jazz emerged from a long slump, in which they lost nine of 11 games, by putting together a five-game winning streak, second in the NBA only to the New York Knicks’ current run of nine straight. One problem for Utah is its struggles on the road, where it is 11-27 and has lost nine of the last 10. Games at Golden State, Minnesota and Memphis will be critical.

Los Angeles Lakers: On the brink

The Lakers haven’t played sterling basketball the past few weeks, but against the Mavericks they looked comfortable for the first time in a long time. In a critical game at Staples Center, Los Angeles honored Shaquille O’Neal and dominated Dallas. The result made it that much harder for Dallas to sneak into the eighth slot and pulled the Lakers neck and neck with the Jazz. Both teams are 39-36 but Utah won the season series, so LA must finish with a better record. For now, the Lakers look poised to do that. Kobe Bryant invites the challenge. “We got a tough schedule down the stretch,” he told TNT’s Craig Sager. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Dallas Mavericks: Taking a step back

Dallas needed to beat the Lakers; a win would have moved it a half-game behind LA for the eighth spot. The Mavs instead left Staples Center 2 1/2 games behind the Lakers and facing the reality of an end to the franchise’s streak of 12 consecutive playoff berths. Dallas last missed the postseason in 1999-2000, when Dirk Nowitzki was in his second pro season and Mark Cuban was becoming majority owner. The Mavs haven’t missed the playoffs in a season in which Cuban has been in control; this could be the first.